For today only the ACL managing director will assume all duties normally undertaken by the Star Observer Editor in an attempt to create dialogue with the LGBTI community.

Lyle Shelton, former managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby. (Picture: David Alexander; Star Observer)

THE Star Observer has appointed the leader of one of the most influential groups in Australia as its Guest Editor.

In what is speculated as an attempt to expose the LGBTI community’s alleged plans to “influence” children and peddle “pink propaganda”, for today only Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) managing director Lyle Shelton will assume all duties normally undertaken by Star Observer Editor, Elias Jahshan.

Political and media commentators have said Shelton would probably use the opportunity to convince Australia’s rainbow community it doesn’t need marriage equality after all, especially with a plebiscite on the horizon.

Jahshan says having Shelton as Guest Editor will be beneficial for the ACL, which claims to be “the voice” of Australian Christians even though it represents less than five per cent of them.

“If the only good thing taken away from his experience is writing skills to help improve the ACL’s woeful press releases and dank social media posts, then so be it,” Jahshan says.

“With our national headquarters based in Sydney, it’s also a chance for him to realise that gay men do actually go to church on Sundays — Sungays at The Beresford.”

Shelton says he is looking forward to the challenge of being Guest Editor for the day.

“I guess I could make my time more worthwhile by actually emulating some of Jesus Christ’s humanitarian values such as helping the poor, assisting the weak and ill,” he says.

“Or even advocate for justice for those affected by serious sexual harassment from senior church figures… but yeah, nah.

“We at the ACL have been obsessed with the homosexuals for years now, why stop?”

The Star Observer editorial team also welcomes the appointment of Shelton to the Guest Editor role.

“Much happiness. So excited. Give this idea 10/10. Will be happy to turn up to work,” senior journalist Shannon Power says.

“Who?” says Victorian journalist Matthew Wade.

“I’m new, so I have to pretend to be happy about it,” Queensland journalist Eliot Rifkin says.

Depending on the inevitable boost in circulation is from this stunt, the Star Observer board of directors will consider inviting Reverend Fred Nile or even someone from Australian Marriage Alliance to take over the reins later in the year.